The Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living (FACIL) sent a letter to Governor Rick Scott on October 30 asking him to address the unmet needs and civil rights violations of people with disabilities impacted by Hurricane Michael. Many individuals left behind medicine or mobility aids that allow them to live independently. FACIL asks Governor Scott for additional resources to ensure the 40,000 – 150,000 households with at least one member with a disability are not unlawfully institutionalized. Groups in the Panhandle report that people with disabilities have been moved from living independently to nursing homes–a violation of their civil rights.

The Bay County commissioner told local media that about 50,000 people in the county have applied for assistance with FEMA, but only 100 have been approved for some type of direct housing assistance.

The Florida Department for Children and Families will verify the identity of all D-SNAP applicants. Survivors’ identity can be verified electronically or by sharing a photo ID (license, state ID, passport, etc.) or in some cases a birth certificate, health insurance card, immigration document, or school ID. All survivors need to register for D-SNAP. Survivors do not need to be a citizen or have a SSN to apply.

Georgia

An additional 34 counties in Georgia are now eligible for Public Assistance grants.

Hurricane Florence

North Carolina

Displaced residents in Bladen, Lenoir, and Pamlico counties are now eligible for temporary housing units – either travel trailers or manufactured housing units.

The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance has been extended to December 13.

Five State/FEMA disaster recovery centers will be temporarily closed due to voting activities. More details on closure times and locations here.